A sharp beep cut through the room’s quiet as they were finishing their dinner. It was a message on Arnold’s phone. Every time his phone made that sound, it usually meant something urgent from work that couldn’t wait. “You’re leaving for work again? Now?” Sarah asked, watching him get up and walk to the door. “I’m sorry, honey,” he replied,
putting on his jacket. “It’s the big project, the one I told you about. Tomorrow’s the deadline. I need to check my team’s work.” The door closed behind him, and Sarah sighed. Her son, swallowing the last of his veggies, straightened his back. “Mom, Dad forgot! The basketball game is tonight. He won’t be there, will he?” Adam asked, pouting. Unfortunately, Sarah knew Arnold wouldn’t get home in time, so she promised to watch the game with him, smiling widely to hide her disappointment. They were both on the couch a while later, enjoying some basketball. Sarah had made good on her promise of dessert and even gave Adam hot cocoa. “See, Mom, I want to play like them!” Adam gushed, pointing at the screen.
“Wait, isn’t that Dad?” “What?” Sarah asked, frowning. As the stadium’s camera focused on couples for the “Kiss Cam” segment, a fun tradition where people were encouraged to kiss when featured on the big screen, Sarah saw Arnold sitting in the crowd. He wasn’t alone. Beside him was Nancy, their former nanny, a young woman who had spent years working in their home. Sarah’s heart sank. She knew Nancy well; she was around 22 and always friendly, but seeing her there with Arnold was like a punch in the gut. Sarah cleared her throat. “No, sweetie. It must be someone who looks like him,” she stated, crossing her arms. But inside, she felt a storm brewing. The sight of Arnold with Nancy at the game and the realization that he had lied about working late, hit her hard. Yet, she couldn’t react, for Adam’s sake. “I’ll be right back,” she said, rising from the couch and hurrying to the bathroom with her cell phone. She dialed Arnold’s number, her heart pounding. But instead of his voice, she was met with the repetitive dial tone following a rejected call. A text arrived instead: “Baby, I can’t talk, I’m at work. I’ll be home in the morning.
Love you!” Sarah needed to know more to understand what was happening. With trembling fingers, she scrolled through her phone contacts to find Nancy’s number. As she did, her eyes fell on a small detail she had noted long ago—Nancy’s birth date. It was today. Sarah’s mind churned. Is this why Arnold is with her? A plan formed in her head, a way to confirm her suspicions. She sent Nancy a message, trying to sound casual. “Hi! Happy birthday! I bought you a present. I want to send it to you by courier. Please send me your address!” Luckily, Nancy texted back. *** The game ended a while later. After ensuring her son was cared for by a neighbor, Sarah set out to observe Nancy’s house. Waiting in her car, her heart raced as she saw the luxurious exterior of the property and a flashy new convertible parked outside with a big bow on the hood. The woman Sarah had known never gave off the vibe of someone with a lot of money. As she was about to drive back home, thinking they were taking too long, Arnold’s car arrived, and she watched in disbelief as they got out together. Nancy began jumping and yelling.
Her smile lit up the night as she was lifted into Arnold’s arms. She heard, “Thank you, baby! I love you!” Once again, the realization hit Sarah hard, but it was two-fold. First, the convertible was Arnold’s birthday present to Nancy. Second, this was more than a passing affair–they were in love. Sarah’s world shattered. How long had they been together? Had it started while she was babysitting Adam? She may never know. But she knew she couldn’t stay in the car any longer and burst out, running towards Arnold, her hair flying in the wind. “How could you?! All those nights at work? Was it always her?!” Her screams were loud and wild, breaking the peaceful night. “Sarah, please let me explain,” Arnold raised his hands. “Nancy, go inside. Let me handle this.” “Explain? What’s there to explain? I saw you on the Kiss Cam!
You’ve been lying to me!” “I’m sorry, Sarah,” he started once Nancy was safely inside. “I should’ve been honest with you. The truth is, I love Nancy. I didn’t know how to tell you.” With tears running down her face, Sarah threatened to take everything from him in the divorce. Arnold crossed his arms and sighed. “Sarah, I don’t think you remember, but our prenup states that we keep the property in our names in case of a divorce. However, I am willing to offer child support and an additional $100,000,” he offered calmly. Sarah yelled several expletives at his audacity and walked off. At home, she thanked her neighbor, checked that Adam was soundly sleeping, and went to check the prenup. Arnold was right. Their agreement was tight, and there was no fidelity clause.
Recklessness took over. Sarah went straight to their safe, put in the combination–their anniversary–and got everything inside—cash, jewelry, etc. She placed everything inside a bag, but as she breathed heavily, staring at the empty safe, taking the stuff didn’t seem enough. Arnold could make more money easily. So, she went to her computer, and in a moment of extreme desperation, she looked for ways to purchase a gun. After a deep dive, Sarah discovered advice on how to get one quickly without a permit or registration. Grabbing her keys and the money bag, Sarah carried a sleeping Adam to her car, knowing she couldn’tleave him alone. She drove to the address she had found online–a mostly empty area with brick-walled factories and flickering street lights. She hadn’t been there long when a young guy, not much older than a teenager, approached her car. He had a wary look in his eyes. “Looking for something special?” he asked, his voice low.
“You won’t find better stuff anywhere else.” Sarah stuttered, “I ne-need a g-gun. With a silencer. Can you get it?” Her heart was racing. She turned back quickly, checking that Adam was still soundly asleep. “Do you have cash?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. she nodded. “Wait here,” he said, entering one of the buildings. He returned shortly with something wrapped in a blanket and whispered, “10K.” Sarah nodded and got the money from her bag, exchanging things quickly. “Leave now,” he urged, looking around anxiously. She didn’t have to be told twice. Sarah parked her car near Nancy’s house. Her heart was pounding, and her thoughts were swirling. She turned to Adam, who had woken at last. “Stay here. I’ll be right back,” she said, trying to sound calm. She stepped out of the car with the bag in her hands, walked towards Nancy’s house with firm steps, and knocked thrice. After a minute that felt like an eternity, the door opened.
There she was. “Sarah? What are you doing here?” Nancy asked, swallowing. “I just want to talk. Can we do that?” Sarah said. Nancy nodded and let her inside. Arnold was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking a beer. Sarah didn’t say a word as she sat beside him. After a few tense minutes, she asked, “How long?” “Months,” he answered. “I’m sorry, Sarah. I should have told you earlier. I never wanted to hurt you.” “But you did,” she said, her voice breaking. “Why her?” “I don’t know. It just happened.” “Just happened?” Sarah asked. No one uttered another word as she raised her voice.
“JUST HAPPENED? JUST HAPPENED!” Her nerves destroyed and in a sudden rage, Sarah stood up, the chair scraping across the floor. She reached for the bag she had brought with her, pulled out the gun, and pointed it at him. Arnold flinched back in his chair, raising his hands. Nancy screamed. But Sarah was too far gone. “You r
uined my life! So why should you live?” she demanded and clicked the trigger. But nothing happened. There was no gunshot. She only had one second to look confused before the door burst open. “FREEZE!” Sarah stared at the officers pointing their own guns at her, and she just… gave up. Her hand went limp, and the loud clash of metal against tile bounced around the room. They surrounded and handcuffed her quickly, and she didn’t put up a fight. The police had been staking out the brick-walled factories, suspecting illegal activity, and followed her after witnessing the purchase. She was led to the squad car where she watched through the window as Nancy and Arnold reached for Adam, who had been taken out of her vehicle by the cops. She heard a loud “Mommy!” before the authorities took her away. ***
Months later, Sarah stood in court, listening to a judge hand down her sentence. “This court recognizes the emotional turmoil you have experienced. However, the law is clear, and it must be upheld.” He gave her the minimum required by the state for attempted first-degree murder – 20 years in prison. She turned in the courtroom to see Arnold and Nancy nodding as if relieved. Adam was in Nancy’s arms. Sarah closed her eyes as the guards pulled her away. I’ll never see him again…
